October 2015

National Farm to School Month

October is National Farm to School Month, a time to celebrate connections happening all over the country between schools and local food. Farm to school enriches the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers by changing food purchasing and education practices at schools and preschools. Farm to school is reaching millions of students in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. In addition to improving child health, when schools buy local, they create new markets for local and regional farmers and contribute to vibrant communities, a win-win-win scenario!

Seed Saver's Club

The students will learn the proper method of harvesting seeds from specific plants. They will germinate some of these seeds and package and market the rest. Students may wish to research different planting and farming methods to study the practicality, economics, and desirability of seed saving in different situations.

Exploding Seed Balls

Want to have some fun while making the world a greener, more environmentally-friendly place? Make exploding balls of seeds that are both fun to throw and an easy way to grow native wildflowers. When you are making your seed balls, use native wildflower seeds. Native wildflowers are plants that have been a natural part of an ecosystem for long before humans started changing that ecosystem.

Building Executive Function Skills

One of the most important contributions to success in school, in which nature time can play a role, is the development of executive function skills. Those skills include the ability to reason, plan, remember, use self-control and solve problems. Both the development of executive function skills and the development of secure attachment can be enhanced through nature-based experiences for children.

Jericho Creek Boardwalk Supports Wetland Studies

Celebrating more than 200 NCI students and teachers participating in wetland studies and restoration because of the newly laid Jericho Creek Boardwalk. Secondary tributaries can now be accessed due to the new boardwalk. Hundreds of future students and adults will be able to explore the Jericho Creek wetland responsibly and respectfully due in large part to the C.D. Besadny Conservation Grant Program.

Outdoor Lessons in Food Gathering

There tends to be a wide gap between those individuals willing to try a seasonal entree at a restaurant and those who forage in their own backyards. The Midwest Wild Harvest Festival aims to support those adventuresome eaters with interest in foraging and wild foods. Many families enjoy foraging as its an outdoor activity they can do together.

NCI Bruceville TX

Located in Central Texas, Nature's Classroom Institute in Bruceville is close to most major Texas cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, and Houston. The new EcoVillage sits in the woodlands of nearly 290 acres adjacent to a zoo and vegetable garden. It can house up to 72 people and a kitchen and dining room powered by solar cells.